If You’re Often Sleepy, You May Be at Risk for Dementia
If you find yourself feeling excessively tired during the day, it’s more than just an annoyance – it may be a sign that you’re at higher risk for developing a condition that can lead to dementia. A new study has found that among participants who experienced excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of enthusiasm, 35.5% developed motoric cognitive risk syndrome, compared to 6.7% of those without these issues.
Motoric cognitive risk syndrome, or MCR, is marked by slow walking speed and complaints of memory problems among older individuals who don’t already have dementia or a mobility disability. The risk of developing dementia more than doubles in those with this syndrome, which was first identified in 2013.
Dr. Victoire Leroy, the study’s lead author, notes that previous research has shown a link between sleep disorders and the risk of dementia. However, much more is still unknown about the relationship between certain aspects of poor-quality sleep and pre-dementia syndromes.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, analyzed data from 445 adults aged 76 on average, who were recruited from New York’s Westchester County. Participants walked on treadmills to record their initial gaits, and then were assessed annually from 2011 to 2018. The study found that only daytime dysfunction, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, was associated with a 3.3-fold higher risk of MCR.
Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida, notes that the study’s findings may help physicians and patients be more likely to ask questions about sleep patterns and to examine walking speed when making an early diagnosis.
However, Dr. Tara Spires-Jones, professor of neurodegeneration and director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, points out that the study has several limitations, including the fact that sleep measurements were self-reported and not scientifically recorded.
Experts agree that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sleep and MCR, and to identify what causes and treats it. In the meantime, Dr. Leroy emphasizes the importance of getting enough sleep and finding ways to manage daytime dysfunction.
By taking steps to protect your brain during aging, such as eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping your body active, you can lower your risk of dementia, according to Dr. Spires-Jones. And if you’re already experiencing mobility issues, fall prevention measures can help.